Google is growing up, and the search giant today celebrates 15 years on the Internet with an interactive doodle that turns the letters in its logo into excited partygoers.

Hit the play button on the Google.com logo and the birthday cake is replaced with a swinging piñata. A blindfolded letter "G" emerges with a colorful stick; hit the space bar to take a swing at the piñata and secure some candy. You get 10 swings per round; it seems that the higher you let the piñata swing before smacking it, the more candy you get. My current high score: 105.

You can share that score via Google+, of course, or hit the green arrow button to try again.

While Google.com was registered on September 15, 1997, Google didn't actually incorporate as a company, release early technical specs, or hire its first employee until September 1998. Now, 15 years later, Google has 44,777 full-time employees (40,178 in Google and 4,599 via Motorola Mobility).

Like any good startup, Google traces it roots back to a garage. The search giant honored that history yesterday when it took a handful of reporters to its humble beginnings: the garage at 232 Santa Margarita Ave. in Menlo Park, California.

Google has already had a busy 2013. It has pushed ahead with future-tech projects like Google Glass, Project Loon, and its self-driving car, while also focusing on core products, like Android, the next version of which is expected next month, and its Nexus lineup of smartphones and tablets.

About the Author

Before joining PCMag.com, Chloe covered financial IT for Incisive Media in NYC and technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's deg... See Full Bio

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